Rojas Is a Manager, Not a Miracle-Worker

They’re dropping like line drives to Chili Davis, major league managers are these days. Cal Ripken Sr.? Fired by the Baltimore Orioles. Larry Bowa? Fired by the San Diego Padres. Chuck Tanner? Fired by the Atlanta Braves. Dick Williams? Fired by the Seattle Mariners.

Now come whispers of Angel Manager Cookie Rojas’ imminent departure because, say rumor lovers, he lacks the necessary “feel” for the big leagues, because his dugout decisions make about as much sense as harmonic convergence, because someone has to take the blame.

On behalf of Rojas, let me simply say: Phooey!

To criticize Rojas for the Angels’ current stay at the bottom of the American League West is like criticizing owner Gene Autry for the plots of his Western movies. Accountability is one thing, miracle-working another.

Quick, a one-question baseball quiz:

Your right fielder can’t catch a line drive with a peach basket, to say nothing of a glove; your No. 1 starter’s disposition matches his record: foul; your third baseman, presented with the position at season’s beginning, isn’t in a slump, but a prolonged droop; your first baseman’s Wally World is closed for repairs; your starting center fielder, the team’s one link with outfield defense, has just returned from the disabled list; your million-dollar ace reliever now knows all the Palm Springs Angels on a first-name basis; your regular second baseman has some mysterious nerve injury; your bench belongs in the Pacific Coast League, and your team can’t go a week without a new crisis.

You are . . .

A) Seriously considering a switch to the exciting world of truck driving school.

B) This close to asking Mom for a bus ticket home.

C) Determined to cling to your first major league managing job until Autry says otherwise.

If you’re the embattled Rojas, the correct answer is, of course, a capital C.

Rojas didn’t exactly ask for this job. Angel management approached him. At first, it needed a team caretaker while Gene Mauch tended to his health. But when Mauch decided that losing ailed him as much as or more than puffing constantly on a Marlboro, the Angels selected Rojas as the legend’s successor. They did so not only with Mauch’s blessings, but with his hearty recommendation. Interim became permanent, and with it, a dream fulfilled for Rojas.

Now look at things: The Angels are 23-37 and 17 games behind the division-leading Oakland Athletics. Any further behind, and Rojas would need a Thomas Guide to find his way back into the race.

As it is, the A’s would have to do something really stupid----such as swap, say, Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire for George Hendrick and his sub-.200 batting average; the Kansas City Royals would have to present Danny Tartabull free of charge; the Texas Rangers would have to contribute Ruben Sierra, and the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners would have to do nothing but be themselves for the Angels to hose the stink of last place off them. Only the Orioles and Braves are in worse shape.

So who’s to blame? Rojas? Or do you point a finger or two at General Manager Mike Port, who assembled this cast of characters?

If I’m Autry, I absolve both Rojas and Port of all liability. To Rojas, I say that these aren’t the Angels he was promised during training camp. These are the Edmonton Trappers South.

Jim Eppard, Junior Noboa, Chico Walker, Joe Redfield, Hendrick--all on the same active roster? No, this wasn’t part of the deal at all.

Not that the Angels were going to win the AL West anyway. Too little outfield speed and defense. Too little power. Too questionable starting pitching. But with some of the batting orders Rojas has been forced to scribble on the nightly lineup card, it’s a toss-up as to who’s better: Cal State Fullerton or the fallen Angels?

As for Port, nice try. He ventured into the free agent market and signed Davis, a legitimate offensive threat. How was Port to know that Davis played right field as if there were no webbing in his glove?

Port also re-signed pitcher Mike Witt for mucho bucks. Thus far, Witt has thanked him and the Angels with a 3-7 record and an earned-run average of 5.10.

Port got rid of Doug DeCinces and gave the third base job to Jack Howell. Howell is hitting .241.

Wally Joyner got a raise; now if he can just get some runs batted in.

Reliever Donnie Moore still can’t pitch pain-free.

All Port did wrong was to believe in his players, enough to predict fine things for them by season’s end. When the Angels settled quickly to the division’s bottom, Port was genuinely surprised.

Just think how Rojas felt. His big opportunity becomes a big joke. Rojas’ fault? I’d rather listen to the Anaheim Stadium organist before admitting that much.

So tear up the pink slip. Rojas deserves better than that. He deserves a real chance, a real team and an end to the whispers.